Luggage carrier



Feb. 25, 1930. ELLIS 1,748,282

I LUGGAGE CARRIER Filed Dec. 19, 1927 3440c whoa QWZZaQZZJZZZS Patented Feb. 25, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR H. ELLIS, OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR F ONE-THIRD TO CHRIS- TOPHER GRAHAM, OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA LUGGAGE CARRIER Application filed December 19, 1927. Serial No. 241,120.

The invention relates to improvements in carriers of a type adapted for mounting upon the top of an automobile, and the invention is deslgned primarily for use in connection with closed bodies having the usual gutters along the longitudinal edges of the top.

' One objectof the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier provided with attaching clamps for engagement with the above-named gutters to hold the carrier securely in place at any desired point along the length of the car top.

A further aim is to provide a construction which is readily adjustable for use with car bodies of different widths.

With the foregoing in View, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view cut in a plane transverse to the car body.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the carrier detached from the car, substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrat ng a sign carrier, whereas Figs. 1, 2 and 3 1llustrate a luggage carrier.

The numeral 5 denotes an appropriate receptacle which is preferably in the form of a wire basket metal-bound at its upper edge as denoted at 6-, reinforced at its vertical corners by angle metal standards 7 and 8 disposed respectively at the inner and outer sides of said corners, and reinforced along its lower longitudinal corners by metal straps 9. Secured to the lower sides of these straps 9, at

the ends thereof, are horizontal guides 10' 4 which are preferably in the form of flat tubes. L-shaped corner brackets 11, disposed in the basket 5 and secured at one end to the standards 7, lie upon the basket bottom over the guides 10, and rivets 12 preferably pass 4 through said bottom, said guides, said brackets and the end portions of the straps 9, fastening these parts securely together.

Metal bars 13 are slidably received in the tubes or other guides 10 and have their outer ends directed downwardly to provide supporting legs 14, the lower ends-of these legs being provided with clamp means for engagement with the usual gutters 15 along the longitudinal edges of a car body 6. The legs 14 preferably rest directly in the gutters 15 and clamping plates 17, disposed at the outer sides of said legs, are provided with outwardly bowed gutter-engaging portions 18, appropriate bolts 19 having wing-nuts 20, being provided for tightly drawing the plates 17 inwardly toward the legs 14, to tightly clamp the outer sides pf the gutters 15 between the lower en'dsof said legs and the plate portions 18.

It will be seen from the above that the bars 13 may be withdrawn to any desired extent from the guides 10, according to the distance between the gutters 15, and that the clamps at the lower ends of the legs 14 may be quickly and easily engaged with said gutters to effectively support the basket or other receptacle 5 in position for use. When the carrier is not needed, it may be quickly and easily detached and placed in the garage or other place of storage, until further use is required.

-In Fig. 4, a sign or advertisement carrier 5 is shown, provided with supporting legs 14, the lower ends of these legs being equipped with gutter-engaging clamps 18 similar to the clamps of the legs 14. If desired, these legs may be adj ustab-ly connected with the carrier 5 in a manner similar to that in which the legs 14 are adjustably connected with the carrying receptacle 5.

On account of the excellent results obtainable with the general construction shown and described, such construction is preferably followed. However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

I claim 1. In combination with a vehicle body having gutters along the longitudinal edges of its top; a carrier disposed over and spaced in its entirety above said top, and securing means for said carrier detachably engaged with the outer walls only of said gutters, whereby no portions of said carrier or said securing means touch the usual covering of said top with danger of chafing therethrough'.

2. A device of the class described comprising a carrier having legs adapted to rest in the usual gutters along the longitudinal edges of a vehicle top, whereby said legs will contact with no part of the top covering with danger. of chafing therethrough, said legs being of such lengths as to support the carrier in upwardly spaced relation with said top covering, and means at the lower ends of said legsand co-operable therewith for clamping engagement with the outer side walls only of said gutters.

i 3. A device of'the class described comprising a carrier, a pair of parallel guides at each of two spaced portions of the carrier and secured to the latter in fixed invariable relation, horizontal bars slidable in said guides and having downwardly extending outer ends providing legs adapted to rest in the usual gutters along the longitudinal edges of a vehicle top, said legs being of shape and length to prevent any parts of the device from touching the usual top covering with danger of chafing therethrough, and means for clamping said legs to the outer side walls of said gutters.

4. A device of the class described comprising a luggage carrying receptacle, metal straps extending along the bottom of said receptacle at corners thereof and secured to said bottom in fixed invariable relation, parallel guides secured in fixed invariable relation against the lower sides of said bars and disposed at opposite ends of the receptacle, horizontal bars slidable in said guides and having downwardly directed outer ends providing legs adapted to rest in the usual gutters along the longitudinal edges of a vehicle top, said legs being of shape and length to prevent any parts of the device from touching the usual top covering with danger of chafing there- I through, and means for clamping said legs to the outer side walls of said gutters.

5. In combination with a vehicle body having a gutter along a longitudinal edge of its top; a carrier,- and supporting and attaching means for said carrier resting in and detachably clamped to the outer side wall only of said gutter, whereby no parts of the carrier need touch the vehicle top covering with danger of chafing therethrough.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature;

- ARTHUR H. ELLIS. 

